WHO HOLDS THE POWER, AND WHO GETS TO BE HEARD? At our final training session of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) @fes_nigeria Open Minds–Young Voices Fellowship, we explored the advocacy module: “Giving Citizens Voice and Agency — Youth Advocating for Peace, Democracy and Development.” I had the opportunity to present on behalf of my group alongside a fellow in training @ambsalihuhonest on “The Power of Advocacy: Identifying Gendered Sources of Power.” Our discussion examined who controls decision-making spaces and access to resources within families, communities and institutions. One thing this conversation reinforced for me is that power is not always found in political offices or formal leadership positions. Sometimes, it exists in who controls household resources, who gets to speak during community meetings, whose opinions are taken seriously, and who has the final say when decisions are made. Gender can influence these dynamics, shaping who gets access, who participates and whose needs are prioritised. This is where advocacy becomes important. It helps us look beyond the obvious, question the structures that exclude people, and create pathways for more inclusive decision-making. For me, advocacy has never been just about speaking for people. It is also about helping people understand their power, claim their space and participate in decisions that affect their lives. As young people, we must learn not only to ask for a seat at the table, but also to understand how the table is set, who gets invited and whose voices are still missing. Grateful for the learning, the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to keep growing alongside other young Nigerians committed to peace, democracy and development. 💚 #OMYV2026 #FESNigeria #LolaImpacts #ThePowerOfAdvocacy #YouthLeadership #GenderEquality